If you are a hockey player, you know that your skates need to be tight so that you can perform at your best. When your skates are too loose, it becomes difficult to keep your balance while you are playing the game, especially if you are on ice. You might also hurt yourself if the skate starts to slip while you are in motion.
Thankfully, there are ways to tighten your hockey skates, and this post will teach you about six methods that you can use to make sure that your skates are tight where it counts.
Table of Contents
1. Wear Proper Shoes For Hockey
When it comes to playing hockey, you need to make sure that you wear the proper shoes. If your shoes are not comfortable, it will be hard to play the game, and this, in turn, will affect your performance. Different hockey leagues have different requirements for the type of shoe you will need to wear, so make sure to check the rules before you start playing in the league.
You should also have a close look at the fitting of your shoes, as well as the inner material of the shoes. The former is important because it makes a difference how your skates feel when you step onto the ice. With regard to the inner material, some hockey players prefer real leather while others prefer synthetic materials. You should really try on a pair of hockey skates before you buy them so that you can feel how the shoe reacts when you step onto the ice. This will help you determine which type of shoe is best for your unique skating style.
On the subject of proper fitting, you should also try on ski boots before buying them. This is important because most people only buy pairs of ski boots that are already the right size, and this causes the shoes to become loose after a while. You should really try on a pair of ski boots before buying them so that you can feel how the shoe fits your foot when you walk around the store. This will help you determine which pair of boots is the best for your needs.
2. Use A Dye For Waterproofing Your Skates
Besides wearing comfortable shoes, it is important to keep your ice skates well-protected from the elements. This is especially important if you are planning on participating in outdoor hockey activities, such as ice skating during the summer months. If you are not careful, the snow, the dirt, and even the water can cause your skates to deteriorate, and this can potentially ruin your whole skating experience. This is why it is important to use a dye for waterproofing your skates.
This dye will make the whole surface of your skate opaque, preventing stains from appearing and ruining the look of your skates. There are different types of dyes that you can use to waterproof your skates, so make sure that you choose one that is suitable for the type of ice skate you have. Some examples of the dyes that can be used to waterproof your skates include:
- Cherry MX
- Crystal MX
- Flame retardant
- Polyurethane (PU)
- Polyethylene (PE)
In addition to waterproofing your skates, this dye will also make them look cool and modern. This is why many professional hockey players use it even during the offseason. This is also why most figure skating clubs have adopted this style as well.
3. Scrunch Up Some Cornstarch As A Dressing
When you arrive home from skating, remove your skates and take off your socks. Next, take a bit of cornstarch and rub it on the soles of your feet to create a non-slip texture. This is important for preventing falls on ice, especially if you have small children who are skating with you. It is also useful when you are bringing your skates indoors after a long day out on the ice, as it makes the whole surface of the device non-slip. While this is useful in some situations, it can also cause accidents if you slip and fall while bringing your skates inside your home.
This is why most hockey players prefer to use a different type of material on the inside of their shoes instead of the outside. Some examples of the materials that you can use for the inner surface of your shoes include:
- Rubber
- Lamination
- Cork
- EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)
- Latex
This type of material provides better cushioning for your feet while still maintaining a sleek and modern appearance. Some people also use tape on the bottom of their shoes to prevent slips on ice, but this is not a good idea because it will eventually peel off due to constant wear and tear. Using tape is not recommended because it can potentially cause skin irritation and inflammation, especially if it is removed frequently during the day. This is why you should really avoid using tape in general, unless you are on a wet and/or porous surface, such as water or gravel.
4. Wear Thick, Overlapping Clothing
It is essential that your clothing is thick enough to avoid becoming a road hazard. While it is not uncommon for people to get injured when they slip on the ice, it is much more likely to happen if they are not wearing adequate clothing. This includes heavy coats, warm hats, and gloves for men, and ankle-length skirts or leggings for women. Make sure that your clothing is long enough to cover your entire body, and that it does not have any unnecessary gaps or openings. In case you did not know, the majority of injuries that occur while ice skating are actually due to the elements rather than the fall itself. This is why it is important to wear thick clothing whenever you are outdoors, especially if it is cold and/or wet. It also helps to keep you from getting wet, which can cause hypothermia, especially if you are outdoors in extreme weather conditions. Your clothing should be designed for the types of activities that you will be participating in, and it should have enough material so that it does not become wet and/or icy. A common mistake that people make is wearing clothes that are too thin, especially if they are made of synthetic materials. This can cause your body heat to be easily transported away by the wind, making you susceptible to frostbite and other types of hypothermia. Make sure that you are protecting your skin as much as possible by wearing clothes appropriate for the season and weather conditions, and that they are designed to fit the shape of your body.
In case you want to stay warm while also looking fashionable, make sure to wear a hat and gloves. You can also choose to go without a jacket and just use a pair of gloves, but make sure to put the hat on first, and then unclog your nose with a warm, wet cloth because your gloves might still be a little cold. You can also choose to skip the hat and gloves and just wear your jacket, but this can potentially make you colder than you would already be. When playing hockey in wintertime, it is advisable to bring several layers on top of each other, because if you are not careful, the wind can easily knock off your hat and gloves, making you susceptible to frostbite. This is why most people use multiple pairs of gloves when playing hockey in wintertime and/or in cold weather conditions. It is also important to put the gear you will be using for the game in a safe place, so that you do not lose any of it while you are changing clothes after the game. This is why most hockey players store their skates and hockey sticks in the closet in wintertime, and why so many keep their hockey equipment wrapped up in plastic when it is not being used. Throwing open the closet door while changing clothes can cause the equipment to get tangled up in the clothes, causing all kinds of havoc.
5. Keep Your Elbow In During The Game
While it is important to keep your knees straight when you are playing ice hockey, it is also crucial that your elbows are kept in. This is because the arms of the hockey player are used to maneuver the puck as he skates toward the opponent’s goal. In addition to this, your elbows can be used to deflect shots away from the net and into your side of the rink. If you do not have enough room, your elbows can be used to block shots completely. The most important thing to keep in mind is that your elbows should not be sticking out to the sides, because this makes you look like a target on the ice. It is important to keep your elbows in so that you do not collide with other players or spectators while you are playing.